23. Ryan Shawcross: Stoke City and England

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

He may not be one of the sexiest choices in this list and he certainly isn't at the sexiest club but ask any EPL forward who they would prefer not to play against and Ryan Shawcross would be in most people's top five.

The Stoke centre-back is one of the main reasons the Potters have flourished against all odds and continue to make respectable Premier League finishes season after season.

Shawcross was rewarded with his first England cap in 2012 and at 25 years old, he will surely be in line for a big money move to a Champions League contender in the not too distant future.

13. Branislav Ivanovic: Chelsea and Serbia

One of the best full-backs in the EPL and world football, the Serbian defender can play anywhere across the back line while providing an excellent attacking outlet at the same time.

The $17 million signing in 2008 has been one of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's best. The 6'2" Serbian international is mainly used at right-back and has become everyone's favourite fantasy option over the years.

Twelve goals and 36 assists over the last five seasons are a big reason why Chelsea have been one of the very best teams in the league.

He was also a key factor in Chelsea winning the Champions League last season despite being suspended for the final.

12. Raphael Varane: Real Madrid and France U21

Varane maybe a surprise addition to many but if anyone has seen his recent performances in El Classico, they will wonder why this teenage sensation is not higher.

At just 19, Jose Mourinho has backed the youngster to perform in some huge matches for the club—and Varane has excelled in every instance.

Only made a total of 61 appearances in his fledgling career so far (37 for Madrid), but this defender is the real deal and one who could be one of the hottest properties in world football during the next few years.

The youngster also recently received his first call up to the France squad and was an unused substitute, but don't be surprised if he makes the starting 11 by Brazil 2014.

10. Sergio Ramos: Real Madrid and Spain

It's crazy to think Ramos is still just 26 years old because it seems he's been around for 20 years.

An ever-present for Real Madrid, Ramos has played under five different managers and every one of them has made the Spanish international their No. 1 defender.

Featured in World Cup all-star teams, European Championship all-star sides, not to mention winning La Liga three times, Ramos was recently voted best defender in La Liga for 2012 and not many would dispute that award.

9. Jan Vertonghen: Spurs and Belgium

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Whether he's at centre-half or left-back, Vertonghen is one of the world's very best.

He enjoyed six successful seasons with Ajax, where he was named Dutch Player of the Year in 2011/12 after leading his team to two successive Eredivisie titles, before making the switch to Spurs last summer.

Vertonghen partners Vincent Kompany for Holland in probably the strongest central-defensive pairing in the world and has made the transition to the EPL effortlessly as one of the very best performers for Spurs this season.

He's also expected to be nominated for PFA Player of the Year at the end of the season.

8. Ashley Cole: Chelsea and England

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Many believe Ashley Cole to be the best left-back in world football and, despite hitting 32, he is still performing as well as he did a decade earlier.

The former Arsenal man made the controversial switch from North London to Chelsea in 2006 and has won the EPL title with both clubs along with a record seven FA Cups, as well as being part of Chelsea's Champions League-winnign squad last year.

He also just won his 100th cap for England and will probably play his last World Cup in Brazil.

Despite England's severe lack of recent international success, Cole is viewed by many of his peers to be one of the very best.

4. Pablo Zabaleta: Manchester City and Argentina

One of the most improved players of 2012, Pablo Zabaleta is a late developer for both club and country but is now key to both.

The Argentinian made the switch from Espanol in 2008 but had to be content with sporadic appearances because of the rotational squad situation at Manchester City.

However, he was given assurance of his role in the side and signed a new four year contract in 2011.

He has been a virtual ever-present since and continues to pop up with crucial goals and assists with none more important than the first goal of City's dramatic 3-2 win over QPR on the last day of the season to secure the EPL title.

After being left out of the Argenitina World Cup squad in 2010, Zabaleta was recalled by new manager Alejandro Sabella and currently has 24 caps.

2. Gerard Pique: Barcelona and Spain

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson does not make many mistakes in the transfer market, but letting Gerard Pique go back to Barcelona is definitely one of them.

Pique was one of the players of the tournament when Spain won the World Cup in South Africa, and he continues to excel at club level for Barcelona despite a slight fallout with boss Pep Guardiola last season.

Hugely comfortable on the ball with an unteachable calmness in pressure situations make Pique a firm favourite to take over the captain's armband from Carlos Puyol.